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1426 Commonwealth Dr. Suite A, Wilmington, NC 28403
Porcelain Veneers for Smile Enhancement and Confidence
Porcelain veneers make a dramatic and immediate improvement to your smile by providing a thin shell to over your natural teeth to change the shape or color. These “instant orthodontics” allow people to straighten crooked teeth and create a more symmetric, aesthetically pleasing smile just as old fashion orthodontics do over time. Most people use porcelain veneers to address issues like stains, chips, and discolorations. But veneers are not limited to just those areas, some people use veneers to improve crooked teeth or teeth that are at an undesirable length or size. While porcelain is strong and used in a variety of dental reconstructions, porcelain veneers are thin and custom made. These shells are designed to improve an individual tooth or the overall appearance of many teeth. Because they are custom made by our dentists for each individual, the veneers will match the exact color of your teeth. The shell covers the front surface of the selected tooth and improves the aesthetics of your smile as soon as they are fixed in place.
Porcelain Veneer Procedure
From beginning to end, the whole process for porcelain veneers is not a very long one and should not take more than a few dental appointments, if your case is not a complicated one. After your consultation with your dentist to discuss if porcelain veneers are the right fit for you and your mouth, your dentist will decide if porcelain veneers will meet your expectations of what you want your smile to look like. Once you and your dentist decide to move forward, the dentist or hygienist will take photographs of your mouth and teeth as well more thorough digital x-rays to really understand the underlying bone structure of your teeth. From here, the dentist will be able to start with a complete and correct blueprint of your teeth and mouth to build your end goal together. Be sure to let your dentist know if there are any specific issues you want addressed or if you have a certain vision for your smile, this way your dentist can help you achieve the finished look you love.
Now that you and your dentist have agreed on what the end product will resemble, the porcelain veneers need to be created for your mouth. But before they can be completed, the dentist needs to provide the proper mold for the inside of the veneers to fit your natural teeth. The dentist will have you come back for a follow up appointment in a week or two to gently prepare your teeth for the veneers. The dentist needs to create space for the thin porcelain that will lie on top of your natural teeth within your mouth. Most of the time, this is a painless process, but if you find yourself in pain or anxious about the procedure, your dentist may offer anesthesia.
Next, an impression of your teeth will be made so the fit with the new veneers will be snug and secure to your natural teeth. Your new veneers will be formed on the front side to reflect your preferred shape and the most appropriate shade of white. Once the impression is complete, the mold will be sent off to the lab to be custom created for your mouth in the shade that you and your dentist decided would be best for your smile.
This brings us to your final appointment, when the dentist or hygienist will confirm that veneers are to your liking and match the shape and color you wanted. After your final approval, the dentist or hygienist will prepare your teeth for the veneers to be permanently bonded. Your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and etched to receive the bonding cement. Once the bonding cement is applied, you need to wait for it to cure in place. After the bonding is set, be sure to have a mirror nearby so you can admire your new smile!
Porcelain Veneer Benefits
Veneers bring quick results but they do bring a nice size price tag as well. Additionally, after your natural teeth are etched, the amount of enamel is reduced so this can cause increased tooth sensitivity. For most people this usually fades after a few days. Porcelain veneers are permanent and you will not be able to revert to your natural teeth once the bond has set in place, so it is important to select, confirm and reconfirm that your veneers are the shape and color you want to keep and show off.
Although veneers bring serious considerations, the benefits are substantial for people looking to improve their smile. All the cosmetic issues that create insecurities or reservations for you will no longer be a factor and you will find more reasons to share your bright grin. More so, porcelain will retain its white color longer than your natural teeth so you will find the color you chose for your new veneers will not fade or alter over time. Structurally, your new veneers will replace damaged enamel on the surface of your natural teeth which is not replaced by the body once it is lost.
Porcelain Veneers or Dental Crowns
When talking to your dentist and you are trying to decide between porcelain veneers or dental crowns for the next phase of your treatment plan, it is important to ask why you are changing your teeth. If it is for cosmetic purposes then veneers are the correct choice. If it is for appearance restoration as well as functionality, then dental crowns are better option.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
During the days and weeks following the more invasive appointments, eating softer foods will keep you comfortable. Once the healing process takes hold, you can gradually include harder and more abrasive foods. Once your dentist has completed work on your veneers and you are fully healed with your fresh smile in place, you need to treat your veneers like your natural teeth.
Porcelain Veneers Cost
Costs for each procedure vary depending on how long the procedure takes, what materials the procedure requires, how many visits the procedure requires, and the amount of work the dentist is required to do. It may surprise you to know, but dental insurance may cover some of the costs for these as well as elective procedures as they lead to improved overall dental health and long term benefits. If you do not have dental insurance coverage or you have any questions about payment options for your treatment plan, you are more than welcome to talk to our staff at any time. Your budget’s health is just as important as your mouth’s health.
High Quality Care You Can Trust
At Edgerton & Glenn Cosmetic and General Dentistry. We strive to build relationships with our patients. You are more than just teeth, you are our patient and friend and we want to help you to achieve and maintain oral health as best we can. We look forward to meeting you and talking about what is best for you and your mouth. Please contact us to set up a porcelain veneer appointment at (910) 256-9230.
More Information About :
- All on Four Dental Implants
- CEREC Crowns
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Deep Teeth Cleaning
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridges
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Exams
- Dental Implants
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- Dentures
- Family Dentistry
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Gum Disease
- Gummy Smile
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Inlay & Onlays
- Invisalign
- Laser Dentistry
- Mouth Guards
- Porcelain Veneers
- Root Canals
- Sleep Apnea
- Teeth Whitening
- TMJ Therapy
- Tooth Extractions
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